CSK approaches Madras HC against IPL suspension

Last updated on: August 20, 2015 23:20 IST

Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings moved the Madras high court on Thursday, challenging the order of the Justice Lodha Committee suspending it from the cash-rich Twenty20 league over the 2013 betting scam involving its top official, Gurunath Meiyappan.

In its petition, India Cements Ltd, owner of Chennai Super Kings, also sought a stay on the committee's order, delivered last month.

It contended that the committee's order was against fundamental principles of natural justice and a fair hearing.

Star-studded Mahendra Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were on July 14 suspended for two years from the League in a clean-up of cricket following the 2013 betting scam involving their top officials, Meiyappan and Raj Kundra respectively.

Son-in-law of the then Board of Control for Cricket in India chief Narayanswami Srinivasan, Meiyappan, a former Team Principal of CSK, and Kundra, co-owner of Jaipur IPL that runs Rajasthan Royals (RR), were suspended for life from matches conducted by the BCCI.

The punishments were handed down by a three-member panel, headed by former Chief Justice of India R M Lodha, which was asked by the Supreme Court to decide the quantum of punishments after finding them guilty of betting.

In its petition, India Cements alleged that imposing punishment on the franchise (CSK) without going into the charges or the alleged offence committed was against the principles of natural justice and a fair hearing.

It further said the refusal of the Justice Lodha committee to enter into the dispute of whether India Cements was guilty of violating clause 4.1.1.of IPL operation rules had led to 'grave miscarriage of justice'.

While referring to the Supreme Court order in January last, the petition said, ‘Gurunath Meiyappan had been (found) guilty of betting but not spot-fixing, match-fixing or misuse of inside information...Meiyappaan never had shares in India Cements nor was he is in the management of the company.’

It further said the refusal of Justice Lodha committee to enter into the dispute of whether India Cements was guilty of violating clause 4.1.1.of IPL operation rules had led to 'grave miscarriage of justice'.

While referring to the Supreme Court order in January last, the petition said "Gurunath Meiyappan had been (found) guilty of betting but not spot-fixing, match-fixing or misuse of inside information...Meiyappaan never had shares in India Cements nor was he is in the management of the company."